ford LCF VS sterling bullet

Well the saga continues with the smaller truck purchase.

I have been offered a good deal on a LCF 19,500. I have a Sterling Bullet (dodge 5500) with the same gvw with a deposit at their sister dealer. The deal is the lcf is work ready and priced well.

Any thoughts on cabover vs sterling bullet/dodge 5500 which is like the F550 set-up wise.
This is for a hooklift application and I am only considering 19,500 gvw truck for this purchase.

Thanks

Bret

Is the LCF any lighter in weight?

The LCF should be more maneuverable, but will have less power. The engine in the LCF is a V6 and makes only 200 hp and 440 ft lbs torque vs. the Cummins in the Sterling at 305 hp and 610 ft lbs. torque.

Steve,
You are bang-on and I think that is going to make the biggest fifference in the end. It's like comparing apple and oranges.

Theres alot to the story. I am thinking of moving from an Apliroll 90s to the Stellar flex36. This will increase my Ca from 84" to 108". I thought for the deal they were offering me and that the increase in overall length would be cancelld out by the cabover. but after talking through with the dealer and thinking exaclty what steve pointed out. I think I am going to go with the Sterling regardless of what hooklift I go with. I plan on towing a deckover trailer with a second bin so the extra horse power would be a plus and after driving the truck the factory engine brake seems to be a huge bonus. I also thinking the extra weight further over the front end is good, I have seen a few of those cabover's with the front end straight in the air, that being said I have had the front end off the ground with my international too.

Funny that i went through this hole debate last year when I was getting into the business and a year into the business I still wrestle over which truck, how big, what market and which lift..... Seeing is how I am a one owner busines I am glad you guys are out there to help bounce some ideas off...

Thanks.

I didn't know which would be more important to you. Both trucks would do the job, I think if i were choosing a chassis I'd take the Sterling too. I have a friend who belongs to a Dodge forum and the guys who are running this chassis are very happy with them, and the exhaust brake works great.

Have you made up your mine yet MINI?

funny you should ask. Yes I went with the sterling bullet I just got the call that the hooklift is installed and it's off to Paint on monday. I'll post some proud pics next week.

I decided to go with the smaller truck until i max out my small bin market and then I will add a bigger truck with the variable hook height and dedicate a driver to it. Here's two pics of the graphics we are working on. What do you think?

Those are both great graphics! I prefer the first one.

I also like the first graphic.

Make it three for the first one. Excellent design!

I like the first one also.

I like the 1st graphic best. Is that a 4500 or 5500?

Thanks guys, I like the first one but the size of the logo seems to big for the truck. I will post the finished result this week. JAZAK> it's actually the sterling bullet same truck, built in the same factory as the dodge 5500. The only diifence to me was the front grill and the Stering dealer service is open until midnight vs dodge 5 or 6. Also the sterling service guys work on trucks that people dependon for a living vs minivan repairs. I test drive and I was sold, It rides stiff but it was a cab and chassis so we'll see when ther is some weight on it. I was very impressed with the factory engine brake and the "u-connect" hands free phone option. It works through the rear view mirror and stereo and increases the power if the is alot of ambient noise. Can't wait to move from my 97 international 5speed to this truck...

I like the first because it looks clean and crisp if any one understands what i'm thinking but I do like the second as far as how your name is on there becaue from far away you can make it out .So going down the road easier to spot and read name vs the first but the way the first is layed out with out all the darkeing all over the side of the body.

So I guess what i'm saying is I like a combonation of the two I do like the metal ripping the bottom.


so the name of the second with the lower meteal rtearing and singage anf the clean layout and grafic up the fender of the first .

Ditto on the first one.

just got back from the shop, here's a pic > now it's off to paint. i will post some more next week.

If you dont mind me asking how much was it for the hook lift and install? I'm seriously considering one for our 650 instead of the straight dump body. IMHO I've seen alot of the graphics on trucks like you want to do BUT the problem is the name gets lost in the background when your driving or at a distance. Weve always gone simpler for that reason but if I had to chose it would be the first one no way would I cover a brand new paint job in vinyl esp when you go to resell it...
-Eric

Eric,

I'm in Canada so the pricing is different> I put a Ampliroll 90S which is a short WB (84CA) 13,000pd lift. You would be better to put a 20K lift on the 650. In Canada a 20k lift with fenders, lights, bumper and a toolbox would be aprox 26K.

I purchased my first hooklift this time last year at Royal truck & Equipment in Coopersburg PA and drove it all the way across to the west coast. Remember that big storm last february>yep I drove through it all the way...

I see alot of hooklifts on the eastcoast, royal truck sells alot and Hale Cole seems to do alot of them I think they are in New Jersey.

Thanks for the feedback on the graphics. I am waiting to see what the 3rd version looks like. cat320> your right about ripping down the highway and not being able to read it, My bins are pretty clear and hopefully the offset the graphic. Here's a pic of the bins.

Bye they way "bins" how are things for you? I found the first year hard. What am I saying it's almost been a year and It feels like I am just geting going.. Hope things are well!

Got the truck back yet?

No Bins, now it's not until Monday.... you know how it goes, but we have made some more progress on the graphics. Here's the latest.